The next day, rain covered the whole city. It was practically raining for hours non-stop. However, the citizens of the city went on like it was a regular thing here.
After his relationship with Zarestia deepened, Orsted was in a very good mood, opposite to the rain outside.
It was in the afternoon, when Crane approached Orsted with a serious expression.
It was apparent that it was time for Orsted's journey out of Banan. After leaving this city, he had no intentions of returning again in the foreseeable future too.
In the employment agency, which was built anew from scratch - Orsted and Zarestia sat opposite Crane in the inner room.
"I always thought building a house was a pain back in the day...." Zarestia was surprised by the speed of which the employment agency was reborn.
"I did hire the best. But that's not important right now. I was able to find information about your thief with the mayor's help." Crane tightened his shoulders in a serious way.
Zarestia's eyes shone upon hearing his words. Along with it, a frown appeared on her face, which didn't sit well with Orsted.
'What is she...? Don't tell me she is hesitating now? Don't do it.' Orsted controlled his urge to slap the back of her head and listened patiently to Crane.
"A day ago, one of the merchants near the first city, Kyo, was attacked by an assailant. The attackers used wind magic and...from the report, her appearance was very similar to Miss Zarestia..."
Crane tried his best to not doubt Zarestia, but suspicion still lingered in his gaze. Logically, it didn't make sense, since she was watched around the clock. Nevertheless, she was a great spirit, who knew what kind of abilities she possessed.
"She didn't do it." Orsted cut off his suspicion calmly.
"Is that so?" Crane believed Orsted very much, appearing to be already erasing his suspicion.
"As I thought, I don't like this lizard. The mutt who visited me before was more pleasant." Zarestia directly stated her thoughts about Crane.
"You...."
Their stand off was unpleasant for Orsted to watch, so he urged Crane to continue.
"Sigh....I think lord Orsted's prediction is correct. The assailant in this case was strange and most likely had Zarestia's light sphere with her." Crane said his conclusion seriously.
It wasn't a 'her', but a 'him' in the form of Zarestia, but Orsted didn't bother correcting Crane.
"The first city, Kyo....Do you have any bounty near that area, I will complete it while heading there." Orsted asked with a plain face.
Zarestia was fidgeting beside him, as if lost in thought.
"Umm, I think there is one. It was a criminal suppression mission."
"That will do and make a bounty hunter certificate for Zarestia too." Orsted pointed at her with his finger.
"Ugh, I understand..." Though uncomfortable, Crane did what he was told.
"Are you leaving, Lord Orsted?" While making the certificate, Crane asked with a little sadness.
"I will depart by tomorrow."
Orsted's calm answer made Crane more sadder.
"I understand. Then, I will speak with the employment agency in Kyo and we can use it as our communication center. I will be sure to send a letter there about anything I find leading towards her light sphere."
Crane spoke with a depressed tone, as if separating with a close friend.
Seeing his reaction, Orsted said empty words naturally: "I will try to visit when I have the time, don't worry about it."
"I see..." A smile appeared on Crane's lizard face.
"I almost forgot. The mayors of all the cities had a meeting two days ago. They are taking Zarestia's situation very seriously too, since they had a meeting with all ten mayors belonging to the league of cities."
Crane made his voice low and serious to show how important the situation was.
"The final outcome appears to be favourable. If lord Orsted or Zarestia ask help from the other mayors, they won't hesitate to help. But, please don't believe in everything they say...." Crane gazed at Zarestia more obviously.
"What?" Feeling slighted, Zarestia frowned uncomfortably.
"I understand." Orsted just nodded.
Orsted didn't have the slightest idea of even meeting these mayors. He knew the individualistic nature of anyone in a higher position in Kararagi. Any help they offered would have strings attached to it.
Offering a farewell to Crane, Orsted led Zarestia outside. He had to prepare a few things before they began their journey. He planned on buying everything today before leaving the next day.
"So, we are leaving tomorrow?" A lot of thoughts seem to be passing through Zarestia.
"That's right."
Zarestia pinched her yukata's sleeve unconsciously.
"Say....I was wondering, the contract..." All her words were trailing off alongside whatever she was thinking.
"What?" Orsted frowned with his scary face.
"No, Nothing!" Zarestia straightened immediately before his menacing eyes.
Walking towards the trading district, Orsted couldn't help but worry now.
'Why is she hesitating with her light sphere? Our relationship isn't even that close to the point that she would consider breaking the contact, and suffer it's backlash, just to give up on her light sphere. Really, don't do it.' Orsted clenched his teeth slightly.
What would be the point of all his planning then?
The current Zarestia hesitated because she knew that she would have to distance herself with Orsted and other people, once she acquired her light sphere.
It wasn't even hard to follow Zarestia's thought process, but it still left Orsted worrying now.
'I should think about something else to lead her around, if she really does give up on her light sphere. But that would be a let down, more than half of her true powers are stored in it....'
While buying the necessary items and rations for travelling, Zarestia hummed a strange lullaby, which sounded like it had no melody - however, Orsted had heard her sing the same song a day ago.
He had heard Zarestia sing it whenever she was happy or depressed.
Orsted: "What song is that?"
"Hmm? I never thought of a name for it. If I had to name it...." Zarestia placed her finger on her lips, deep in thought.
She continued: "It would be the 'Die song'!"
"....." Though speechless, Orsted felt that it suited Zarestia's song.
Arriving back at his house, Zarestia and Orsted sat in the hall.
Watching her eat the rice with a spoon, Orsted remembered her disastrous face trying to use chopsticks at the start.
Her face and the table would get covered in rice, whenever she used chopsticks.
"I will tell you about the precautions and plan on how we will travel now."
"....."